FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER DIPLOMA COURSE DEMO UNIT TUTOR TALK: For the purposes of this demonstration, below is an extract of one of the lessons from a course offered through E-Learn.uk. As a registered student you would have full access to all the lessons of the course you are registered on. TUTOR TALK: The learning outcomes for this assignment are: Introduce the main Characteristics that define Living Organisms Explore the notion of Cells and Tissue Demonstrate an understanding of Cellular Tissues Identify relationships in the Human Body Analyse the main Foot Movements Develop an understanding of the functions and characteristics of the Skeletal System TUTOR TALK: This course is concerned with the lower limb and even more so with the foot. But neither foot nor limb exist in isolation. The well-being of the foot depends upon the condition of the limb to which it is attached and upon the state of all of the body systems which flow into and out of the limb. Each of these systems and the influence of one system upon another need to be understood in order that we can apply understanding to conditions seen in the foot which result from problems elsewhere. This understanding is of keen and vital interest to the Foot Health Practitioner since the structure upon which we shall focus most of our attention is the structure furthest from the heart. The foot exists at the furthest reaches of the circulatory system where the heart is least effective as a circulatory pump, where the pulse of blood-flow is much flattened and may be further reduced by any narrowing or stretching of vessels, is dependant upon the condition of non-return valves and where the return is against gravity. Because of this relationship, the foot is often the first part to show the effects of any diminution in blood supply. Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 1
Leonardo da Vinci referred to the human foot as: (Leonardo was left-handed and wrote so that his writing appeared correct if viewed in a mirror) In order to gain a true appreciation of this wonderful machine we must go right back to basics. CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING ORGANISMS Biology is the study of life and living things. Human beings are organisms living in a world populated by a great many kinds of living organism. All organisms, from the most primitive to the most advanced life-forms, display characteristics by which we recognise life. The seven characteristics listed here are common to all life-displaying organisms and can be remembered by the acronym RENGRIM where each letter indicates one essential property of a life-form. R = Respiration an exchange of gases with the environment. Toxic gasses result from metabolism and must be lost. Other gasses, usually oxygen, must be taken in to allow metabolism to occur. E = Excretion voiding of moderately concentrated solid, liquid or gaseous waste products. Respiration is involved in loss of gaseous waste. N = Nutrition energy is produced from food-stuffs. The energy liberated by nutrition is used to drive metabolic processes. G = Growth growth implies repair, as well as an increase in complexity and efficiency. Often produces an increase in mass. R = Reproduction an individual organism has a limited life-span and must die. Reproduction allows continuity of the species and replication of the genes often with advantage to the next generation. I = irritability sensitivity causes an organism to avoid substances and conditions threatening to life, and helps the organism to identify substances and conditions conducive to life. Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 2
M = movement assists in finding nutrition, favourable conditions or a mating partner and avoidance of enemies and other threats to well-being. To test the above, try applying RENGRIM to: a. a dog b. a tree c. a pork chop A dog will display all seven characteristics, and can therefore be said to have life. A tree will also display all characteristics, but will display them in different ways to the dog. A pork chop will fail on several counts, leading to the inevitable conclusion that it is not alive. ORGANISATION The basic unit of living tissue is the cell. A cell is a fairly simple basic building block which can be modified and designed for any role. Cells are grouped together to form tissues. Tissues are combined to create organs which perform a specific purpose. Organs work together in systems. But the functioning of any system is closely related to the functioning of other systems, in an interdependent manner, to form an organism, an independent living being. cells individual units tissues a group of cells having similar structure and function e.g. muscle or nervous tissue organs different tissues grouped together to perform what is usually a single function, e.g. the stomach is made up of involuntary muscle, blood vessels, nerves, epithelia, all performing the function of digestion in the first part of the gastero-intestinal system systems a group of organs associated together to perform a single overall function, e.g. the alimentary canal combining together the buccal cavity, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and associated glands organism the single individual of a species made up of a number of organ systems, e.g. alimentary, blood, nervous, muscular and skeletal systems Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 3
The organism works as a whole with each individual cell requiring food and oxygen and having a need to be rid of waste products. Each cell is sensitive to any change in its surroundings, and malfunction of any of its parts may upset the balance of the whole. The organism is dependant upon proper collective function of its individual cells, and the individual cells are dependant upon the organism providing servicing of cellular needs, nutrition and the correct environment in which the cells can prosper. CELLS AND TISSUES If almost any structure from a plant or animal is examined microscopically it will be seen to consist of more or less distinct units cells which, although too small to be seen individually, in large numbers make up the structure or organ. All cells have a cell membrane, a thin boundary skin enclosing the cytoplasm. Most cells have a nucleus. A Typical Animal Cell Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 4
SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM in a single layer (surface view) SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM in several layers (side view) WHITE FIBROUS TISSUE Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 5
SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM forms the walls of capillaries COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 6
YELLOW ELASTIC TISSUE CILIATED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM CELLULAR TISSUES TISSUES A tissue such as bone, nerve or muscle is made up of many hundreds of cells. These cells are of just a few types. The cells of each type have similar structures and functions. Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 7
There are four major types of tissues: 1. Epithelial Epithelial tissue is arranged in single or multi-layered sheets and covers the internal and external surfaces of the body-skin and mucosa 2. Connective Connective tissue is the major supporting tissue of the body, and includes skeletal tissue. All connective tissue has fibres present in the form of yellow fibres (elastin), or white fibres (collagen) White fibres are tough and non-elastic and are found in white fibrous connective tissue. They are present in tendons, cartilage, bone and the sclerotic layer of the eyeball Yellow fibres are found in yellow elastic tissues such as ligaments, lungs and associated air passages Cartilage is a connective tissue with cartilage cells embedded in a matrix of chondrin. Cartilage may have white or yellow fibres Bone is a calcified connective tissue consisting of a matrix of 30% organic material and 70% of bone salts principally calcium and magnesium salts Blood is regarded as a connective tissue 3. Muscle There are three types of muscle tissue: i. Voluntary, skeletal or striated attached to bone and under conscious control. These tissues provide powerful and rapid contraction ii. Involuntary or smooth found in the walls of blood vessels and lining the walls of hollow organs such as the gut and bladder. These muscles contract slowly but powerfully and can work for long periods without rest, for instance, to churn food and force it along the intestine iii. Cardiac found only in the heart and producing rapid, rhythmical contractions throughout life. 4. Nervous Nervous tissue consists of neurons, the functional units of the nervous system. Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 8
Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body and the relationship between the parts Physiology is the study of the function of those parts For example: If we say that the human heart weighs approximately 225g, is somewhat pear-shaped in appearance, and lies two thirds to the left-hand side of the rib cage and one third to the right, this is to describe its anatomy its weight, shape and position. This tells us nothing of how the heart works as a pump to force oxygenated blood around the body, having caused the blood to first pass through the lungs in order to rid the body of toxic carbon dioxide arising from metabolic processes. The science of physiology deals with the understanding of how and for what purpose. By combining anatomy and physiology of the heart, we can form an understanding of what it looks like and what it does. THE ANATOMICAL POSITION If we regard the human body as a three dimensional object in space, we need datum positions and landmarks to describe positions and relationships of one part to any other. The anatomical position is universally recognised as a person standing erect, head, eyes and feet directed forward, the heels and toes together, and the upper limbs dependant from the shoulders, palms of the hands facing forwards. When viewed from in front and from behind, a body in this position displays every surface with the exception of the sole surface of the feet. The anatomical position Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 9
FINDING OUR WAY AROUND THE HUMAN BODY Terms of relationship are used to describe the relationship of one part of the body to another. These terms always refer to the body as seen in the anatomical position. This ensures that the position of structures can be clearly defined in relation to each other, and to the body as a whole. anterior to the front, anterior to... = in front of..., the ventral (belly) surface, that nearest the front the umbilicus or navel is on the anterior surface of the body posterior to the rear, behind, the dorsal (back) surface, posterior to = at the back of the buttocks or gluteal region are on the posterior of the body medial middle, towards the midline, the surface facing the midline or nearest to the midline the sternum or breastbone is a medial feature of the thorax or chest lateral to the side, away from the midline, furthest from the midline the orifice of the ear enters the lateral surface of the head proximal nearer the attachment of a limb or structure, closer to the torso, further in the knee is proximal to the ankle, the elbow is proximal to the wrist distal further from the attachment of a limb, further out the ankle is distal to the knee, the toes are situated distally upon the foot superior above, towards the head, lies on top of, the upper part or surface the heart is situated superior to the stomach within the thoracic cavity inferior below, beneath, closer to the ground, the part beneath, the lower part or under-surface the lower bowel is inferior to the stomach, the sole of the foot is the inferior surface superficial on or nearer to the surface, on the outside the superficial veins of the leg may be prominent if varicose deep further from the surface, beneath the superficial fascia lies deep to the skin There are many other terms these are the main ones which will suffice for the present. Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 10
Relationship terms MOVEMENTS OF THE FOOT Plantarflexion - movement of the foot downwards, away from the anterior surface of the tibia Dorsiflexion - movement of the foot upwards, towards the anterior surface of the tibia Adduction - bringing towards midline of body, or towards the 2nd toe if within the foot Abduction - movement away from body midline, or away from 2nd toe of the foot Inversion - inner border of foot is raised so that plantar surface looks towards body midline Eversion - outer border of foot is raised so that plantar surface looks away from midline Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 11
These 6 movements are known as the gross movements of the foot TUTOR TALK: We hope you have enjoyed this small sample from one of our Course Assignments. Unfortunately, full access is only available to Registered Students. Copyright Reserved Foot Health Practitioner Diploma Course Demo Unit Page 12